Blade sharpening solution and process



United States Patent 3,492,178 BLADE SHARPENIN G SOLUTION AND PROCESS Wayne A. Westling, 794 27th St., Manhattan Beach, Calif. 90266 No Drawing. Filed Sept. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 577,831 Int. Cl. C23b 3/00; C23f l/00 U.S. Cl. 156-18 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sharpening process for razor blades is provided, whereby the blade is merely inserted into a particular etching solution, and is subsequently removed, washed and dried.

The present invention relates to a blade sharpening process and solution, and it relates more particularly to an improved etching process and solution for sharpening stainless steel and other razor blades; as well :as the blades of electric razors.

The etching solution and process of the invention finds particular utility in sharpening razor blades, especially those of the stainless steel variety. It will become evident as the present description proceeds, however, that the process and solution of the invention finds general utility in the sharpening of blades by etching means.

In practicing the present invention, in one of its aspects, a container of a particular etching solution is provided. A used blade is placed in the container and completely immersed therein. The blade is removed a predetermined time thereafter, washed and dried. The blade is thereby resharpened and again ready for use.

A specific example of a blade sharpening solution, which may be used satisfactorily in practicing the invention, particularly in conjunction with stainless steel razor blades, is as follows:

10% chromic acid 15% sulphuric acid 15% magnesium hydroxide 15 aluminum hydroxide 3% calcium carbonate 2 magnesium trisilicate process K Kelite which is a brightening agent consisting of fluorinated hydrocarbon plus phosphate iron 34% distilled water 1% artificial coloring The solution is mixed, for example, at a controlled temperature of 82 F. The procedure is as follows:

(a) Mix together the calcium carbonate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. These may be placed in a container, covered and mixed for twenty minutes by rotating the container at 35 r.p.m.

(b) The sulphuric acid is then added. The container may again be covered and mixed for five minutes by rotating it at 20 r.p.m.

(c) The chromic acid and processed K Kelite are then added to the solution. The container may again be covered and mixed for five minutes by rotating it at ten r.p.m.

(d) The distilled water is then added to the solution, and the solution is shaken until it is aerated (about ten minutes).

(e) The artificial coloring is added, and the resulting solution is strained.

In order to sharpen a used stainless steel .(SAE 300 series) razor blade, for example, the blade is placed in a container of the solution, and the container is covered. The container is turned upside down completely to immerse the blade. The blade is left in the solution for a ice predetermined time interval of the order of 5 to 15 minutes. The blade is then removed, washed in hot water and soaked, and dried. The blade is then ready for re-use.

The chromic and sulphuric acids in the solution set out above combine to provide a desired etching action on the blade over a practical time interval, so as to sharpen the cutting edge of the blade without destroying the entire blade. The magnesium and aluminum hydroxide serve to counteract the etching action of the acids, so that the desired controlled etching action may be obtained. The calcium carbonate and the magnesium trisilicate also perform similar functions.

The K Kelite is a brightener made by the Kelite Company of Los Angeles, California. As mentioned above, this brightener consists of fluorinated hydrocarbon plus phosphate iron. The purpose of the brightener is to impart a clear, bright finish to the sharpened blade. Of course, any appropriate brightener can be used for the purpose.

The artificial coloring is used in the solution merely to impart an attractive color thereto. For example, a blue food coloring may be used to cause the solution to attain an overall attractive pink coloration.

The proportions listed for the various components of the specific solution set out above are not critical and may be varied depending upon the material of the blade to be sharpened and the time desired to perform the sharpening operation.

Moreover, the ingredients of the solution themselves may be varied and other known etchants and dilutants may be used.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that while a particular embodiment of the invention has been described, modifications may be made. Such modifications are intended to be covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A process for sharpening the cutting edge of a stainless steel razor blade of SAE 300 series which comprises providing an etching solution including essentially ten percent chromic acid, fifteen percent sulphuric acid, fifteen percent magnesium hydroxide, fifteen percent aluminum hydroxide, three percent calcium carbonate, two percent magnesium trisilicate; completely immersing said blade in said etching solution; subsequently removing the blade from the solution and washing and then drying the blade.

2. The process defined in claim 1, in which said solution further includes thirty-four percent distilled water.

3. The process defined in claim 1, in which said solution further includes five percent brightener consisting of fluorinated hydrocarbon plus phosphate iron.

4. A solution for sharpening the cutting edge of a stainless steel razor blade SAE Series 300, which comprises essentially ten percent chromic acid, fifteen percent sulphuric acid, fifteen percent magnesium hydroxide, fifteen percent aluminum hydroxide, three percent calcium carbonate, and two percent magnesium trisilicate.

5. The solution defined in claim 4, and which further includes thirty-four percent distilled water.

6. The solution defined in claim 4, in which said solution further includes five percent brightener consisting of fluorinated hydrocarbon plus phosphate iron.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/ 1946 Truesdell 15 618 X 5/ 1941 Wallach et al.

JACOB H. STEINBERG, Primary Examiner 

